Executive Assistant to the President of Beyond Plastics

Bennington College is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to support the President and Founder of Beyond Plastics as the team enters an exciting phase with multiple new initiatives and events a growing advocacy and organizing constituency and this year the publishing of their first book The Problem with Plastic. The ideal candidate will be based in the Upstate New York/Southern Vermont area as this position will require travel to local and regional meetings as well as events in the Albany-Southern VT Region.

The Executive Assistant will be instrumental to the overall stability and success of the Beyond Plastics organization and requires a broad range of administrative responsibilities and excellent technology and organizational skills. This administrative professional will work closely with the President of Beyond Plastics and the senior leadership team of Beyond Plastics to support the mission-driven impact.

The ideal candidate will bring a high level of professionalism strong judgment and exceptional communication skills to thrive in a fast-paced setting. This position requires someone who is able to expertly manage a complex calendar coordinate meetings arrange travel and handle multiple requests simultaneously. The Executive Assistant to the President will anticipate the Presidents needs proactively identify ways to streamline workflows and address potential challenges. This position is fast-paced and deadline-driven and requires critical thinking attention to detail high-level technology skills and a diverse portfolio of accountabilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Presidents primary point of contact providing support to ensure that reminders are provided and the President is up-to-speed on organizational meetings and staff matters.
• Manage a complex calendar for the President coordinating meetings arranging travel and handling multiple requests simultaneously.
• Manage the Presidents accountabilities generally and in relation to the promotion of Beyond Plastics book The Problem with Plastics to support all public appearances events and internal and external meetings as well as materials and mailings.
• Ability to anticipate the Presidents needs proactively identify ways to streamline workflows and address potential challenges.
• Support the Managing Directors work in relation to the Presidents schedule and in relation to the organizational management of staff and systems.
• Support the President and Managing Directors workload to include but not be limited to: hosting Zoom meetings; data entry; YAMMs; assisting with small events; and technology assistance.
• Support the Presidents email track key items and enact daily reminders; send emails on the Presidents behalf when requested.
• Ability to manage deadline-driven workflow in a fast-paced team.
• Take notes in weekly staff meetings policy team meetings book promotion meetings and all other regular multi-staff and external meetings attended by the President and follow up on action items and decisions.
• Process credit card statements of the President and Managing Director as well as the Development Director as assigned.
• Support the processing of staff reimbursements to the Business Office.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and scheduling issues for the President.
• Connect and coordinate with the Advisory Board as requested by the President and Managing Director.
• Handle mailings/bulk mailings (e.g. book-related gift-related etc.) for the President including address research data entry physical mailings etc.
• During key times as assigned when the State Legislature is in session assist with on-site logistics and attend lobby days (generally in January and May) and special policy-related events. Logistics include but are not limited to: printing; filing; registering attendees; event set-up and break-down; food purchases and procurement; kitchen duties; follow-up laundry; etc
• Granular to-do tracking such as call lists written communications and basic tasks.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of all-staff virtual and in-person meetings for beyond plastics team in collaboration with the Managing Director.
• Assist with the completion and refining of the Presidents external presentations and deadline-driven special projects.
• Additional duties as assigned; demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to supporting the organizations mission.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

Qualifications

1. Associates degree required; Bachelors degree preferred.
2. A minimum of three years of executive or administrative assistant experience is required.
3. Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
4. High level of technology proficiency; Google Workspace experience preferred; effective troubleshooting skills and good judgment.
5. Familiarity with or ability to learn Action Network.
6. A strong interest in environmental protection and a commitment to the goals of Beyond Plastics.
7. A demonstrated commitment to social equity and racial justice and an eagerness to understand how these issues are related in communities impacted by plastic pollution
8. Ability to work well within a team of motivated individuals.
9. Skilled at managing projects with tight deadlines.
10. Ability to work independently to deliver organizational outcomes.
11. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively; critical thinking attention to detail high-level technology skills and a diverse portfolio of accountabilities.
12. Ability to respond to small requests (e.g. assistance in formatting a document) and to complex responsibilities (e.g. coordinating travel for multiple staff in different locations at the same time) with the same level of urgency and professionalism.

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized international LGBTQIA and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities socioeconomic backgrounds religions and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building a community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The Colleges approach to pluralism and inclusivityboth as fields of inquiry and practiceis to prioritize flexible thought and to invite the examination of access value power and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest backgrounds experience and accomplishment to apply.

Application Deadline: The application deadline is April 6 2026 and all online applications must be received by 11:59 PM EST.

Compensation: The annual salary for this position is $65000.

The College

Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical dental vision life and long-term disability insurance retirement and tuition benefits including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.

Bennington College is a small residential liberal arts college in southern Vermont long distinguished for its progressive approach to higher education. The College was founded in 1932 on the principle of active engagement in learning which is manifest in individualized plans of study developed by students together with faculty. We serve a diverse student population and our faculty and staff also reflect diverse backgrounds and identities. Our aim is to educate students towards self-fulfillment and constructive social purposes and we believe that equity diversity and inclusivity--in community and in curriculum--are vital to achieving those aims.

Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest. From campus it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts Albany New York and many of Vermonts top recreational centers. New York City Boston and Burlington Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.